Michael Turner
Quick rules: expect a bag check at gates; soft-sided packs with a single compartment speed inspection. Clear bags that meet venue dimensions move through lines faster. Medical supplies, sealed baby formula and necessary prescription medication are allowed when presented with documentation.
Packing checklist: reusable water bottle (empty if requested by security), sunscreen, wide-brim hat, phone, lightweight power bank, small first-aid kit, compact rain layer, diapers/wipes. Keep cash and cards in an inner zip pocket or wear a money belt; leave large, unnecessary items at hotel or in vehicle.
Arrival tips: plan to arrive 30–45 minutes earlier on weekends and during special events; use guest services at entry for locker rental or temporary bag storage; verify event-specific restrictions via official website or by phone before travel to avoid surprises.
Allowed bags and pet carrier policy for city animal park
Use a compact, soft-sided daypack or clear tote no larger than 12 x 12 x 6 inches to speed entry; larger duffels and hydration packs may require inspection or refusal at gate.
Permitted contents: sealed snacks, collapsible water bottles (empty at entry), diapers, basic first-aid, camera gear. Prohibited contents: glass containers, hard coolers exceeding 8 quarts, folding chairs over 24 inches, sharp tools, poles or stakes. Pack must be accessible for on-site security check.
Security screening and size rules
Expect random bag checks at entrance and near exhibits. Measurements used by staff: length x height x depth in inches. If staff requests removal of item from pack, comply immediately to avoid delay. Use clear material or a single-compartment design to shorten inspection time.
Pet carrier recommendations
Small pet carriers approved for entry should be soft-sided, ventilated, and fit under arm while walking through pathways. For cat transport, consider a sturdy, well-ventilated option such as best cat carrier backpack to keep pet secure and hands free.
| Item | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clear tote / compact daypack | Yes | Max 12 x 12 x 6 inches preferred |
| Large duffel / hiking pack | Sometimes | Subject to inspection; may be refused during peak crowds |
| Soft-sided pet carrier | Yes | Ventilation and secure closures required |
| Hard coolers / glass containers | No | Avoid due to safety rules |
Allowed pack sizes, materials and visible-carry rules
Recommendation: Limit personal packs to a maximum of 16″ x 12″ x 6″ for standard soft-sided gear; clear vinyl or PVC bags accepted up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″ for expedited security checks.
Acceptable materials: nylon, polyester, ripstop, mesh pockets and transparent PVC or vinyl. Insulated lunch sleeves are permitted if made from fabric or clear plastic and do not contain glass. Small reusable bottles made from plastic or aluminum allowed.
Prohibited materials: rigid hard-shell cases, metal-studded or spiked coverings, lockboxes or hidden-compartment bags, glass containers and large coolers. Bags with external straps that could be used as a sling may be denied entry.
Visible-carry rules: Weapons, ammunition, pepper spray and other defensive devices are not permitted on site; concealed-carry authorizations do not override private property restrictions. All packs are subject to inspection at entry and can be rechecked during visit. Items flagged during screening must be removed or surrendered prior to admission.
Practical tips: choose a compact crossbody or waist pack for hands-free movement, store electronics in clear pockets for quick inspection and label gear with contact details for faster retrieval at lost-and-found.
Prohibited items to remove from bags before entry
Remove firearms, ammunition, replica weapons, and any edged tools prior to gate screening.
Leave alcoholic beverages and open containers of liquor, beer, or mixed drinks offsite; sealed retail-packaged alcohol is frequently not permitted.
Discard or transfer glass bottles and jars into plastic or metal containers before arrival to avoid breakage hazards.
Hard-sided coolers, large wheeled coolers, and ice chests are prohibited; small soft-sided personal coolers may be acceptable but confirm with staff at entry.
Remove animal feed items – seeds, nuts, bread, fruit, commercial treats, and specialty feeders – since feeding wildlife is forbidden and can harm animals.
Smoking materials, including cigarettes, cigars, vape devices with nicotine or THC cartridges, and open ash containers, must be left out of packs.
Do not carry illegal drugs or illicit paraphernalia; prescription medications should remain in original labeled containers and be declared if staff requests inspection.
Stow unmanned aerial vehicles, remote-controlled aircraft, fireworks, flares, laser pointers, and other disruptive projectile devices.
Avoid transporting large tripods, monopods, and obstructive mounting equipment that block pathways; compact handheld stabilizers are a safer alternative.
Non-service animals and associated pet carriers or supplies should be removed prior to entry; only certified service animals are permitted.
For compact, screening-friendly carry options consult best luggage at kohls.
If packing snacks for kids, choose items that won’t attract wildlife and favor protein-rich greens for energy; see which green vegetables have protein for ideas.
Medical supplies, prescription medications and baby formula exceptions
Carry prescription medications in original pharmacy-labeled containers and present them at security upon request.
- Labeling and documentation: keep prescription bottles, printed prescription or doctor’s note and photo ID together for faster verification.
- Emergency devices: store EpiPens, inhalers, insulin pens and other emergency injectors in a clear, accessible pouch for immediate retrieval.
- Syringes and sharps: transport unused syringes inside a rigid, labeled sharps container accompanied by prescription or medical letter.
- Infant liquid exemptions: baby formula, breast milk and prepared baby food may exceed standard liquid limits; separate these items and declare them for inspection.
- Cooling and perishables: use soft-sided cooler with reusable ice packs; avoid dry ice; onsite refrigeration not guaranteed–contact guest services before arrival if refrigeration required.
- Controlled medications: keep only medically necessary quantity, ensure container name matches photo ID and be prepared to show prescription if asked.
- Screening preferences: request hand inspection by staff instead of placing medical items into communal screening bins when privacy or careful handling is preferred.
- Safety and disposal: secure medications away from children’s reach and retain a proper sharps container for safe transport and disposal at a medical facility.
- Documentation checklist: prescription bottle, written prescription or doctor’s letter, photo ID, emergency contact and concise medication list with dosages.
- Packing tip: place medical essentials in an easily accessible compartment of carry item rather than deep inside luggage.
- Staff assistance: if medication administration or special storage will be needed during visit, contact guest services prior to arrival to arrange support.
Items required for medical care or infant nutrition are generally allowed after inspection; do not separate medications from identification or documentation when staff request verification.
Security screening and quick-entry tactics
Arrive 30–45 minutes before scheduled entry and have daypack unzipped, pockets emptied, and mobile tickets ready on phone.
Before arrival
Organize items into visible compartments: clear pouch for small loose items, single tray or top pocket for electronics, and a fast-access compartment for ID and payment card. Remove bulky outerwear and fold collapsible stroller or carrier before reaching gate. Limit bag count to one per adult when possible.
At checkpoint
Place pack on inspection table with zipper faces up and hands-free strap visible. Lay out items in order: phone, wallet, keys, cameras, snacks. Move metal objects into front pocket or tray to avoid wand secondary screening. If handheld wand scan occurs, keep arms relaxed and follow staff instructions. Typical processing times: solo adult with ready pack – 20–45 seconds; pair with one pack – 45–90 seconds; family group with multiple packs and stroller – 2–5 minutes; busy-event queues may triple estimates. Ask staff about member or accessible-entry lanes to shorten wait when available.
Use contactless payment and mobile ticketing, consolidate loose items into a single clear pouch, and maintain single-file line behavior to speed throughput.
Packing checklist for a daypack: food, water, sun protection and trash handling
Carry at least 1 L water per adult and 500 mL per child; use insulated bottles or hydration bladders plus one small spare bottle (16 oz) for emergencies.
Pack sealed, shelf-stable snacks: protein bars with 20–25 g protein, mixed nuts (30–40 g portion), jerky packs, crackers, pre-made sandwiches wrapped in wax paper; include fresh fruit that tolerates heat (apples, bananas) and carrot sticks in resealable bags.
Keep perishables below 4°C (40°F) in an insulated cooler with ice packs; limit perishable portion to one small cooler per group and rotate ice every 4–6 hours for full-day outings.
Pack broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30+ in a travel-sized tube (at least 1 oz) and reapply every 2 hours or after water contact; add a wide-brim hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a lightweight long-sleeve shirt with UPF 30+.
Carry two sealable bags: one 1-liter for food wrappers and used wipes, one 1-gallon for wet or bulky refuse; collapse bags to save space and tie sealed bags before disposal at park-designated receptacles or at vehicle.
Favor reusable items to reduce waste: metal or BPA-free plastic utensils, silicone snack bags, stainless-steel or collapsible containers; pre-portion servings into reusable containers to avoid single-use packaging.
Practice safe food handling: use hand sanitizer (60%+ alcohol) before eating, keep food off ground, and discard perishable leftovers after 2 hours at ambient temperatures above 20°C (68°F) or after 1 hour above 32°C (90°F).
Quick checklist: water per person, 2 insulated bottles, 3–4 portable snacks per person, 1 small cooler with ice packs, 1 oz sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, resealable trash bags (1 L and 1 gal), reusable utensils, hand sanitizer, napkins/wipes.
